Monthly Archives: May 2014

American Made Matters® prepares to celebrate its 5th anniversary with the unveiling of L&H Companies’ original “Home of American Made Matters” at the Bollman Hat Company in Adamstown, PA.

American Made Matters® (AMM) was founded by Don Rongione in 2009. As CEO of Bollman Hat Company, Rongione experienced the tragic decline of American manufacturing first hand when loss of major customers to foreign competition forced him to lay off 100 U.S. manufacturing employees. It was this experience that led Rongione to create an organization dedicated to educating consumers on just how important American manufacturing is to our country. With the help of a handful of U.S. manufacturers, AMM was born.

L&H Companies joined the AMM movement in February of 2013. CEO, Chris Heinly says “We are proud to be a part of American Made Matters. Making and donating this sign is one way that our L&H employees demonstrated our pride.”

Since its inception in 2009, AMM has grown into an organization of over 270 members and sponsors in 43 states. Members are manufacturers who represent various industries from apparel and toys to steel fabrication and cleaning supplies. Sponsors include American made retailers, patriotic organizations, and service providers who support U.S. manufacturing and its impact on jobs, stronger communities, independence and security of the U.S. and product safety. Additionally, AMM is a resource for consumers looking to find American made goods as well as a resource for its members and sponsors to find suppliers and customers.

AMM had its inaugural American Made Matters Day on November 19, 2013. On this day, AMM is encouraging consumers to buy at least one American-made product to show their support for American manufacturing. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has recognized November 19 as American Made Matters Day. Plans are underway to make this year’s AMM Day a national event by reaching out to members across the country to hold events in various states throughout the U.S.

“We are at the forefront of a movement and gaining momentum. This sign outside America’s oldest hat factory will be a great symbol of the importance of manufacturing for America’s future” said Rongione. Rongione and Heinly will be unveiling the new sign stating “Home of American Made Matters” on May 28, 10:30am at 110 East Main Street, Adamstown PA.

About L&H Companies: L&H Sign Company, Inc. has been a leading provider of quality architectural sign products for over 21 years. With approximately 63,500 square feet of manufacturing space at our headquarters in Reading, PA, they have the resources to create virtually anything from a simple merchant sign to the most complex way finding system, with ease. For more information, visit http://www.lhsigns.com/, or like them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/LH-Companies/359176690783671.